Red Squirrel Recovery Network Southern Scotland Project Officer x2

Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN)
South of Scotland Project Officer

Restoring Upland Nature, a Scottish charity, is seeking to appoint two full-time Project Officers to support the work of the 17 volunteer groups determined to secure the future for red squirrels in the South of Scotland as part of the new Red Squirrel Recovery Network.

The Red Squirrel Recovery Network project

The Red Squirrel Recovery Network (RSRN) is a new project which aims to build on conservation efforts of the last 20 years and lay the foundations for species recovery. It is led by a partnership of four conservation organisations, with support from leading red squirrel conservation agencies and the network of volunteer-led squirrel groups.

The RSRN is a shared ambition for red squirrels in Northern England and Southern Scotland (focused in Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway and South Ayrshire) and which is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Working at a super-landscape scale, this is the first time that any project has brought together groups from north and south of the English- Scottish border to co-ordinate effort across the whole red squirrel population range.

The RSRN will play an important part in wider partnership ambitions for nature recovery. This significant investment in species conservation must achieve lasting change within five years so that the future of an iconic species is secured as part of a natural and functioning ecosystem and supported by a well-connected and resilient network of volunteers within a wider network of engaged and aware local residents and visitors.

The RSRN will support two full time Project Officers in southern Scotland.

Job role

• Building and maintaining strong relationships and support for new and existing volunteer groups in Scottish Borders, Dumfries & Galloway and South Ayrshire.
• Engaging with woodland owners and their agents, stakeholders and the public to provide guidance on red squirrel conservation and advice on grey squirrel impacts and how they can be managed.
• Developing and facilitating relationships between volunteers/local groups and landowners, managers or other stakeholders to increase land available to groups and support groups to secure income for red squirrel conservation activities (including accessing/establishing agri-environment schemes and agreements)
• You will need to show initiative and work autonomously, and establish excellent working relationships with colleagues, partners and volunteers.
• You will feed back lessons learned to the other Project Officers, delivery partners in southern Scotland and the RSRN partnership.

Applicants will need to live in the South of Scotland and be prepared to travel. Interviews will be conducted in person.

The closing date for applications is the 7th of December 2025.

Please view the attached job pack.